Establishing A Values-Based Culture
At the Texas Tech University System, we are working to develop leaders of character who are prepared to conquer the current and future challenges of our world. Our goal is to establish a sustainable values-based culture across our five universities. This includes identifying the shared core values deeply held by faculty, staff, and students, then integrating those values into a people development framework that allows participants to impact their lives, and those they influence.
Our organizational framework uses a servant leader model with students at the top, supported by staff and faculty, who are supported by administration. We tailor people development programs for each level of learner in the model. We integrate eight character development competencies into each program.
The eight competencies serve as points on a compass. The compass symbolizes that developing leaders of character is a journey, not a destination. Even experienced leaders must dedicate to lifelong learning. Values is the True North on our compass. Each university has a unique set of core values we integrate into the tailored program for that organization. Other compass points are Character, Ethics, Self-Development, Management, Decision-Making, Communication, and Organizational Acumen.
Our approach is to first identify core values shared by members of the organization including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni during a collaborative two-day values summit. We integrate these values along with other character competencies into development programs for students, faculty, and staff to prepare each participant for challenges they will meet along their life journey.
We provide professional coaching for participants to give them support integrating lessons learned into their personal lives.
Our approach to sustainability is to provide supplemental one-time workshops to university entities. These workshops focus on how to face challenges like improved communication, leading change, ethical case studies, strategic planning, recruiting, hiring and retaining talent, and succession planning. We also create and publish field guides for daily use by leaders to remind them of the lessons learned in these programs. The Leader and Culture Development office produces webinars and podcasts to deepen the learning experience.
We actively partner with thought leaders who contribute to the content of our programs. These thought leaders include Patrick Lencioni, Ken Blanchard, Randy Conley, Stephen M. R. Covey, and Jim Collins. Collins wrote about the impact we are seeking for our students in the book, Leadership Reckoning, by Tom Kolditz.
 |
Training IndustryBuilding Organizational Culture in Growth Programming: A Case Study READ MORE |
|
 |
Chief Learning OfficerDeveloping the next generation of leaders through shared values at the TTUS READ MORE |
|
 |
News Channel 6Wichita Falls hosts Defining Our Culture Conference READ MORE |
Our impact is developing “The kind of person who:
- Sees what must be done and doesn’t wait for permission from authority or peers to act.
- Sees everything through the prism of core values and who strives to live those values in every aspect of work and life.Never sees other people as merely an expedient means to one’s own career success; who earns trust and love of those they lead.
- By virtue of personal humility and indomitable will in service to a cause larger than oneself, inspires others to help in achievement of Big Hairy Audacious Goals that stimulate progress.”
